How to learn TOPIK vocabulary level by level

2026-10-19

Vocabulary is the part of TOPIK you can prepare for most steadily. Grammar and reading strategy matter too, but almost every listening and reading question depends on knowing the words in it. Here is a simple way to build your vocabulary level by level.

1. Learn the words for your level first

Pocket Korean groups its 11,365 words into six levels that follow the TOPIK levels:

If you are aiming for level 2, finish levels 1 and 2 before moving on. Words from higher levels will appear in the exam, but the basic words appear far more often.

2. Ten new words a day is enough

Ten new words a day adds up to about 3,600 words a year. That is more than enough for TOPIK I and a strong start on TOPIK II. Small, steady sessions work better than long ones once a week, because your memory needs time between reviews.

3. Learn words with an example sentence

A word on its own is easy to forget. Learn each word with a short sentence, and listen to it said by a native speaker. When you meet the word again in a listening question, you will recognise the sound, not just the spelling.

4. Review on a schedule

Review a new word the next day, then after a few days, then after a week or two. Pocket Korean's daily mission does this for you: it mixes new words with the ones you are about to forget.

5. Use Sino-Korean word parts

More than half of Korean vocabulary comes from Chinese characters (hanja). Once you know that 학 (學) means "learn", words like 학교 (school), 학생 (student) and 학습 (study) become much easier. Pocket Korean shows the parts of each Sino-Korean word and other words that share them.

Start today

Pick your level, set a goal of ten words a day, and keep your streak going. You can try levels 1 and 2 for free in the Pocket Korean web app.